[citation needed] After a Hutu-led coup attempt in October 1965, Mwambutsa IV went into exile in Switzerland, while Prime Minister Léopold Biha was hospitalized.

The country was also heavily affected by the coup's aftermath, as Tutsi officers under Michel Micombero purged the security forces and political leadership of Hutu figures.

[1] In March 1966, Mwambusta IV designated Charles Ndizeye, his only surviving son, as heir apparent and entrusted him with overseeing Burundi's government.

On 7 November Ntare V attempted to broadcast a decree dismissing Micombero's government, but was turned away from the radio station by soldiers.

Three weeks later, Ntare V was in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on a state visit,[5] celebrating the takeover of Mobutu Sese Seko.

On 28 November, the king heard over radio that Micombero had led a military coup d'état, abolishing the monarchy and proclaiming Burundi a republic with himself as its first President.

[8] Soon after, an official radio broadcast proclaimed that Ntare was trying to instigate a mercenary invasion of Burundi to take back rule.

[10] Radio Nationale du Burundi (RNB Broadcasting) announced that the king was shot while attempting to escape from the palace where he had been "under arrest".

The king's supporters claim he was taken from the Royal Palace and executed by a firing squad before being thrown into a common grave.